Infant&#39;s bathing device



Feb. 1, 1955 E. Q. WALTERS INFANTS BATHING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed001.- 50, 1955 INVENTOR. EVERETTE QMAcreas BY Kym ATTOQM EYS Feb. 1,1955 E. Q. WALTERS v INFANTS BATHING DEVICE Filed Oct. 50, 1955 3Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. Ev gnET'rs Q. WALTERS AT TOQN EYS Feb. 1,1955 E. Q. WALTERS 2,700,776

INFANTS BATHING DEVICE Filed Oct. 30, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.Ev ERETTE Q. Wan-vans fl AAM United States Patent INFANTS BATHlNG DEVICEEverette Q. Walters, Alexandria, Minn.

Application October 30, 1953, Serial No. 389,263

3 Claims. (Cl. 4-177) This invention relates to an infants bathingdevice of the knockdown type.

An object of the present invention is to provide an infants bathingdevice which is adapted to be mounted upon a conventional householdbathtub.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an infants bathingdevice which when mounted upon a conventional household bathtub isstrongly and firmly braced not only against portions of the tub butagainst the wall projecting above the rear of the tub.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an infantsbathing device in which certain key supporting elements are adjustablein length, the better to adapt the device to support upon various sizesand shapes of bathtubs to insure the proper levelling of the devicedespite such variations in supporting tubs.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an infantsbathing device which is simply and inexpensively constructed and whichmay be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from theensuing description taken in conjunction with the attached drawings inwhich:

Figure l is a perspective view of the bathing device of the presentinvention, with the cover in open position, mounted upon a conventionalbathtub, parts of which are broken away.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1 with portionscut away showing the cover in closed position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bathing device of the presentinvention in an upright position with the fabric portions omitted.

Figure is an enlarged detail fragmentary cross sectional view takenalong the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail fragmentary cross sectional view takenalong the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail fragmentary cross sectional view takenalong the line 7-7 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the bathing device of the present inventionin the nested position.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, the numeral 1 represents ahorizontally disposed frame of rigid tubular construction. The frame hastwo side members which for convenience in description are designated bythe numeral 2 and two end members designated 3. Adjacent end portions ofone end of said end members 3 project beyond one of the side members 2to form the projecting portions 4. Slidably supported in each projectingportion 4 is a foot member 5 adapted to engage a wall surface. Themember 5 embodies a tubular element 6 telescoping into the adjacentprojecting portion 4 and into the complemental end member 3, as shown inFigure 5, the outer end carrying a shoe 7 of rubber or other resilientmaterial Which engages a wall surface W, as shown in Figure l. Thetubular element 6 is provided with a plurality of spaced openings 8arranged longitudinally therealong, any one of which may be brought intoregistry with an opening 10 formed in the wall of the complementalprojecting portion 4. A pin 9 carried by a leaf spring 11 which isexteriorly of and fixedly secured to the projecting portion 4 projectsthrough the registering openings and holds the foot member 5 in itsadjusted position on the projecting portion 4.

2,700,776 Patented Feb. 1, 1955 Positioned contiguous to the footmembers 5 are a pair of spaced upright legs 12, each having its upperend connected to the side member 2 adjacent to the root members 5, forswinging movement from the upright position to a nested relationposition with respect to the frame 1. Each of the legs 12 has on itslower end a foot member 13 which engages the interior surface of abathtub B. Each foot member 13 embodies a tubular element 14 telescopinginto the lower end of the leg 12, the outer end carrying a shoe 15, ofrubber or other resilient material. The tubular element 14 is providedwith a plurality of spaced openings 16 arranged longitudinallytherealong, any one of which may be brought into registry with anopening 17 formed in the wall of the complemental leg 12. A pin 18carried by a leaf spring 19 which is exteriorly of and fixedly securedto the leg 12 projects through the registering openings and holds thefoot member 13 in its adjusted position on the leg 12.

A vertically disposed strut structure 20 is connected to the other sidemember 2 for swinging movement from a vertical position to a nestedrelation position with respect to the frame 1. The strut structurecomprises upstanding legs 21' each of which has on its upper end ahorizontally disposed arm 22. 'lhe arms 22 extend into and are swingablysupported in a bearing sleeve 23 'rixedly carried by the side member 2remote from the foot members 5. A coiled spring is positioned within thebearing sleeve 23 and is operatively connected to each arm and thesleeve. Since the structure of both springs is the same, only one willbe specifically described. Referring to Figure 7, a coiled spring 24 ispositioned within the left hand portion of the bearing sleeve 23 and hasone end secured [0 the arm 22 and has the other end secured to thesleeve. "lhe springs serve to hold the legs 2t in the vertical orupstanding position. 'lhe lower end of each of the legs 21 has a saddleelement 25, the saddle elements being connected together by a cross rod26. As shown in rigure l, the saddle elerngnltg's emoracingly engage thead acent side of the bathtll A cross member 27 extends between the endmembers 3 adjacent to but spaced from the side member 2 which carriesthe legs 12. The cross member 27 together with the side member 2supporting the strut structure 20 and the portions of the end members 3therebetween form an auxiliary frame 28. From the auxiliary frame 28 isdependingly supported a collapsible infants tub 29. The tub 29 is of thecustomary shape and is made of the customary water retaining flexiblefabric. It is fastened to the end members 3 by means of flaps 30 whichextend from the portions of the rim of the tub adjacent the end members3 embracingly around said end members and fasten upon the adjacent outersurface of the tub 29 by snap fasteners 31. The tub 29 is fastened tothe adjacent side member 2 and the cross member 27 by means of the flaps32 and 33, the flaps extending over the side member 2 and cross member27 respectively and being detachably secured to the tub 29 by means ofthe strips 34 secured along one edge to the under side of the flaps 32and 33 and strips 35 secured along one edge to the adjacent surfaces ofthe tub 29, the strips being connected together by a slide fastener 36.The end of the flap 32 extends a sufficient distance beyond itsconnection with the strip 34 to be folded back upon itself and stitchedalong its meeting edges 37 and the intermediate lines 38 to form thepockets 39. The tub 29 is provided with a horizontally disposed cover 40consisting of a frame 41 of tubular material, of approximately the sizeand shape of the auxiliary frame 28 and an envelope 42 of fabric closelyfitting about the frame 41. The frame 41 is pivoted for swingingmovement upward from its horizontal closed position on top of the tub 29upon an elongated bolt 43 which passes longitudinally through the side44 of the frame 41 and is supported adjacent its ends in apertures 45 ofthe upper portions of uprights 46 which are rigidly fastened to andproject upwardly from the end members 3 at the junction therewith of thecross member 27. The ends of the bolt 43 project through the uprights46, one end being provided with a head 47 and the other end being inthreaded engagement with the wing nut 48. The envelope 42 fits snuglyupon the frame 41 and is detachably secured thereon by means of a flap49 and a snap fastener 50. A fabric strip 51 is fixed transversely uponthe upper surface of the cover 40 intermediate its ends. Upon themid-portion of said strip 51 one end of each of two additional fabricstrips 52 are fixedly secured in parallel spaced relation. The strips 52are turned upwardly and fastened together at their other ends bycooperative fastening means 53 located thereon to form a safety belt 54.

The tub 29 has a drain opening 55 at its lowest point and a flexiblehose 56 projecting downwardly therefrom. On the free end of the hosethere is a nozzle 57 which is of such construction that it may beslipped over a faucet of the bathtub B for filling the tub 29 from thebottom with water when the faucet is turned on. If desired, the nozzle57 may be left connected to such faucet until the water in the tub 29has been used for bathing purposes, whereupon such nozzle isdisconnected from the faucet and the used water drained from the tub 29.However, the nozzle 57 may be disconnected from the faucet of thebathtub B as soon as the tub 29 has been filled, and placed upon a hook58 which projects exteriosrly of the auxiliary frame 28 adjacent thedrain opening 5.

To serve as a stop for the cover 40 in its open position the bathingdevice is provided with a transverse panel 59 projecting upward at anobtuse angle from the auxiliary frame 28 and fastened to the end members3 between the cross member 27 and the side member 2 carrying the legs12. The panel 59 consists of a tubular frame 60 and a fabric envelopefitting thereupon. The envelope 61 is slid downwardly over the frame 60and is detachably fastened around the cross member 62 by means of theflap 63 and the snap fasteners 64. A fabric strip 65 is positionedlongitudinally across the upwardly angled face of the panel 59 and isstitched thereto along its bottom edge 66, its end 67, and theintermediate lines 68 to form pockets 69.

The thus described bathing device is usually maintained in its nestedrelation position, Figure 8, and when transported from its place ofstorage to its place of use it is carried in such nested position by theuser having one of his hands firmly grasping the intermediate portion ofthe rod 26 of the strut structure 20. To set up the device upon thebathtub B the legs 12 are swung from their nested relation position tothe upright position with the shoes 15 hearing against the inner face ofthe juncture of the bottom with the front Wall of the tub B and theshoes 7 on the end members 3 bearing against the wall surface W adjacentthe tub B, whereupon the frame 1 is raised to a height such as to permitthe strut structure 20 to freely execute its movement from the nestedrelation position to its vertical position. While holding the frame 1 insuch raised position the strut 20 is then caused to execute its movementfrom the nested position to its vertical position and the frame releasedso that the cross rod 26 bears against the inner surface of the frontwall of the tub B and the saddles 25 embracingly rest upon the top edgeof such front wall. It is noted that the legs 12 when in their uprightposition are at a silght angle from the vertical, and by virtue of theshoes 15 bearing against the juncture of the front wall and bottom ofthe tub B, coupled with the rod 26 and saddles 25 of the strut structure20 bearing against and supported upon the front wall of the tub Brespectivelv, the bathing device is rigidly supported on the tub B, asshown in Figure 1.

Because bathtubs differ in size and shape, the legs 12 and theprojecting portions 4 may have to be lengthened or shortened when thedevice is set up in a particular bathtub in order to support the frame 1and thus the tub 29 in a substantially horizontal position. Suchlengthening or shortening is accomplished by the appropriate movement ofthe telescopic foot members and 13 in the projecting portions 4 in thelegs 12 respectively. When thus leveled, the tub 29 is braced from threedirections and will not only carry a substantial weight, but will firmlyresist movement transversely or longitudinally of the bathtub. Thebracing effect of the projecting portions 4 against the room wall isparticularly helpful in overcoming a tendency of the tub to sag or slipaway from the user, a common objection to earlier forms of this type ofbathing device.

When the bathing device has been set up and leveled as above described,and is to be used for bathing the baby,

the cover 40 is raised to its upright position where it rests againstthe panel 59. The nozzle 57 is then taken from the hook 58, and slippedover the faucet of the bathtub B, whereupon the faucet is turned on andthe tub 29 filled to the desired level with water. After the baby hasbeen bathed in the tub 29, the water is drained from the tub 29 into thebathtub B by placing the nozzle 57 in the bottom of such bathtub.

To remove the bathing device from the bathtub B, the front of the frame1 is raised, the strut structure 20 and the legs 12 swung in turn totheir nested positions, the intermediate portion of the cross rod 26 ofthe strut structure grasped by the hand of the user and lifted from thebathtube B.

The device may not only be used for bathing the baby, but as a babydressing table as well. The cover when in its horizontal closed positionand fastened in that position by the tightening of the wing nut 48offers a steady horizontal and resilient surface of the appropriateheight for the support of the baby while he is being dressed or changed.If considered necessary, the baby may be secured to the upper surface ofthe cover by means of the safety belt 54.

What is claimed is:

1. An infants collapsible bathing device of the type to be mounted foruse upon a conventional household bathtub, comprising a horizontallydisposed frame having two side members and two end members, a footmember projecting from and slidably supported in one end of each of saidend members and adapted to engage a wall surface, a pair of spacedupright legs positioned contiguous to the foot members and each havingthe upper end connected to the side member adjacent to said foot membersfor swinging movement from the upright position to a nested relationposition with respect to said frame, each leg having on its lower end afoot member projecting from and slidably supported in said leg forengaging the interior surface of the bathtub, a vertically disposedstrut structure arranged longitudinally of the other side member andhaving the upper end connected to the other side member for swingingmovement from the vertical position to a nested relation position withrespect to said frame, said strut structure having on its lower endmeans for embracingly engaging a side of a bathtub, a cross memberextending between said end members adjacent to and spaced from said sidemember carrying said legs, the cross member together with the other sidemember and the portions of the end members therebetween forming anauxiliary frame, and a collapsible tub dependingly supported from saidauxiliary frame.

2. An infants collapsible bathing device of the type to be mounted foruse upon a conventional household bathtub, comprising a horizontallydisposed frame having two side members and two end members, a footmember projecting from and slidably supported in one end of each of saidend members and adapted to engage a wall surface, a pair of spacedupright legs positioned contiguous to the foot members and each havingthe upper end connected to the side member adjacent to said foot membersfor swinging movement from the upright position to a nested relationposition with respect to said frame, each leg having on its lower end afoot member rojecting from and slidably supported in each of said legsfor engaging the interior surface of the bathtub, a vertically disposedstrut structure comprising a pair of upstanding legs arrangedlongitudinally of the other side member, a horizontally disposed arm onthe upper end of each of the strut legs, the arms connecting the strutlegs to the other side member for swinging movement about said sidemember from the vertical position to a nested relation position withrespect to said frame, a saddle element on the lower end of each of thestrut legs for embracingly engaging the side of a bathtub, a crossmember extending between said end members adjacent to and spaced fromsaid side member carrying said legs, the cross member together with theother side member and the portions of the end members therebetweenforming an auxiliary frame, and a collapsible tub dependingly supportedfrom said auxiliary frame.

3. An infants collapsible bathing device of the type to be mounted foruse upon a conventional household bathtub, comprising a horizontallydisposed frame having two side members and two end members, a footmember projecting from and slidably supported in one end of each of saidend members and adapted to engage a wall surface, a pair of spacedupright legs positioned contiguous to the foot members and each havingthe upper end connected to' the side member adjacent to said footmembers for swinging movement from the upright position to a nestedrelation position with respect to said frame, each leg having on itslower end a foot member projecting from and slidably supported in oneend of each of said legs for engaging the interior surface of a bathtub,a vertically disposed strut structure comprising a pair of upstandinglegs arranged longitudinally of the other side member, a horizontallydisposed arm on the upper end of each of the strut legs, the armsconnecting the strut legs to the other side member for swinging movementabout said side member from the vertical position to a nested relationposition with respect to said frame, a saddle element on the lower endof each of the strut legs for embracingly engaging the side of abathtub, spring means operatively connected to each arm and the otherside member for holding the strut legs in the upright position, a crossmember extending between said end members adjacent to and spaced fromsaid side member carrying said legs, the cross member together with theother side member and the portions of the end members therebetweenforming an auxiliary frame, and a collapsible tub dependingly supportedfrom said auxiliary frame.

No references cited.

